{by John Smith}
This statement still tickles me. Shawn and I kept talking about it over the weekend (actually I’d bring it up and she’d politely listen).
I went back an revisited my internet search to see what the results revealed. I found that this statement appeared just about equally in candidate profiles/resumes as it did in job descriptions. In one instance it was used as an endorsement for a candidate. It even appeared in a guide speaking to Career Development Planning. Primarily it seems to be used by the Academic community as a required (or desired) attribute for Enrollment Advisors and Counselors (this may reveal a lot about the state of Higher Education in America). One result was for a Military Enrollment Counselor. It also appears to be a useful or desired skill for Administrative Assistants.
The funny (or sad) thing is, the more I thought about it, I began to realize that there is a truth to these words. Just watch the evening news, pick up a news paper or watch those around you. Observe for a moment and then add “Applying Judgment and Discretion on a periodic basis” as a summary statement to these events. It begins to explain a lot. I can certainly apply it to my own life (I think it may have even been a part of my wedding vows).
So, in reflection, maybe it is a desirable trait that does reflect well on candidates and employers. It shows they are honest and in tune with themselves. They are not trying to hide anything, set expectations too high or make promises they can’t deliver. What you see is what you get.
